Road of the Beast

Via Bestiae (Road of The Beast)

Nickname: Ferals

Abandoning civilization, the Ferals give in to hunger and savagery, and satiate the Beast. In doing so, they give it no need to overwhelm them. This road may be the oldest, harking back to the first nights when vampires were mighty primal hunters. The existence of a Feral is simple; hunt when hungry, sleep when tired, and strike swiftly when threatened. The Ferals have no time for any pretense to civilization: the predators need not bother themselves how their prey passes the time.

Many Ferals take up the Road of the Beast on their own, as it is easy to embrace the predator inherent in every vampire. Some Ferals seek out and teach students the ways of the wild before leaving them to survive on their own, and Feral packs also 'adopt' initiates from time to time.

Initiation into the Via Bestiae is made up of harsh lessons, intended to strip away novices' remaining ties to civilization and harden them to the realities of existence as hunters. Those who fail are culled without mercy, to leave more prey for the worthy.

Ethics of the Beast

• Exist in accord with the needs of the Beast.
• Do what you must to survive. No more, no less.
• Mercy is for the weak. Only the strong survive.
• The past is dead, the future is unborn. The moment is yours.
• Respect only the strong, and swear fealty to no one.

Hierarchy of Sins Against the Beast

(1 is the most fundamental and 10 is the most minor)

Rating Minimum Wrongdoing

10 Putting yourself at risk needlessly

9 Not challenging a weak leader

8 Killing for any reason other than survival

7 Avoiding contact with nature

6 Needless torture or cruelty

5 Making a sacrifice for someone unrelated to you

4 Refusing to kill when important to your survival

3 Failing to defend your territory

2 Showing mercy to an enemy

1 Abstaining from feeding when hungry